Rich loses his thong

We decided to make the short twenty minute journey to Dunk Island using the water taxi service. While the leaflet boldly stated in colourful writing that this was a 'jetty to jetty' service, this was not the case. Instead we had to climb into the water then clamber into the small but impressively modern boat. We wanted to reach the boat as quick as possible due to some of the horror stories we had heard about jelly fish from our neighbours. However, Rich lost his thong in the process (a.k.a. his flip flop). Fortunately the water was picture perfect and crystal clear so it was easy to track down and soon he happily had it back in his hand.

In a short time, we had reached Dunk Island which turned out to be a small island, complete with a range of water sports and an exclusive resort. Our first job was to find a nice picnic spot and we settled on one of the gorgeous beaches.

Midway through our picnic we were surprised to hear a really loud buzzing sound that seemed to be coming from directly behind us. We looked round and couldn't believe our eyes - there was an aeroplane coming towards us! Fortunately for us, there was a small fence between us and the plane and the plane was actually turning round ready to take off in the opposite direction. It was a bit of a scary moment to say the least.

After lunch we decided to hire a peddle boat. The man gave us an extra hour for free because the island was pretty quiet and he said it would give him something to look at. Perhaps this is why he didn't tell us that you steer forward and right to go right but back and left for left. We saw another couple going around in circles like we had been so it was nice to know that it wasn't just us that were doing it wrong.

You could see the coral from the boat and different fish swimming past. We couldn't believe how clear the water was and how warm it was.

After our trip we decided to reward our peddling with a nice big cocktail from the little bar by the jetty. They were yummy.

While we were sitting in the bar, a big boat began to approach the island with lots of people on and we noticed lots of staff on quad bikes with luggage trolleys make their way down the jetty. We started to think about famous people that may come to the island but it was just regular guests coming to the resort and this is treatment that all guests get.

A number of people-carriers began pulling up by the bar were we sitting so the guests didn't even have to walk to the resort even though it was only two minutes down the road. We decided to follow the cars to sneak a look at the resort. It was gorgeous with a waterfront pool that looks out over the ocean.

The island even has its own airport which a little building/shack just a little bit bigger than an average shed and the landing is only short too.

Even though we were walking on a path were pedestrians weren't supposed to be, several members of staff waved and said hello when they passed us on their bikes and in their cars probably thinking we were staying in the hotel.

After another quick walk around to the other side of the island, it was time to board the water taxi and head home.

Having had a great day, Rich's mood quickly turned sour on our arrival back to the campsite. No our van hadn't been broken into, no Tranmere hadn't lost…someone had taken our speck on the campsite and Rich was fuming!

We settled on the place next door after having to manover around a picnic bench. Noticing the pitch-robbers outside their van, Rich proceeded to LOUDLY tell Rach how the new pitch was not as light, big or suitable as the one we had previously had!

The man kept looking over and Rach just smiled then the man proceeded to laugh at Rich who was now exaggerating all his movements in utter disgust.

Rich's night turned worse and his tally of people he didn't like doubled to four after two young people used all the BBQ gas. We had taken our food out of its packaging but they didn't tell him about the gas and just started laughing when the BBQ wouldn't turn on which we thought was a bit mean.

We packed up our food into plastic boxes to put back into the fridge and opted to head out to a bar next door that did $6 pizzas.

Needless to say, we never got a pizza that night and instead spent the night mixing with locals who invited us over when we first walked in. It was a very interesting night to say the least as it was a leaving party for one of the ladies from our campsite. Her name was Diane and she was really lovely. She was the lady who had first invited us over, told us not be scared as she had a heart of gold, and asked us to spend the night partying with them.

She had many funny stories to tell like when she met the Prime Minister Julia Gillard who asked to see in her caravan where she lives. Diane said she couldn't as it would wake her dog. She was the life and soul of the party and truly did have a heart of gold. She is one of those people who will never forget and we will always remember when we look back on our trip.

We were later joined by a couple from Cheshire who were over for the Ashes who were really nice. They turned out to be from our campsite as the woman said she recognised Rach.

We stayed at the bar with the couple from Cheshire sharing travel stories until it was time for the bar to close so we headed back to the campsite ready for bed.